Apparatus for traversing filamentary materials



Dec. 24, 1963 c. R. CUNNINGHAM ,3 3

APPARATUS FOR TRAVERSING FILAMENTARY MATERIALS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 21, 1961 INV EN TOR Ea/1. 'R. CUNNINGHAM W A TTOR/VE rs Dec. 24, 1963 c. R. CUNNINGHAM 3,115,313

APPARATUS FOR TRAVERS ING FILAMENTARY MATERIALS Filed June 21, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 III IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIJ IIIIIIIIIIIIII "I INVENTOR C501. R. CUNNINGHAM v I Afro/PM: vs

United States Patent Ofiice 3,115,313 Patented Dec. 24, 1963 3,115,313 APPARATUS FUR TRAVERSENG FHLAMENTARY MATEREALEE Cecil R. Cunningham, Aiken, Stfi, assignor to @Wensforming Fibergias Corporation, a corporation or Delaware Filed June 21, 1961, fi er. No. 118,589 9 Claims. (El. Z iZ-dfii) This invention relates to apparatus for traversing or distributing the filaments or fibers upon a collector and more especially to improved means for traversing or distributing the filaments on the collector, the latter being of a character facilitating the dofiing of a completed package of strand and the initiation of winding upon an empty or fresh collector without interrupting the linear travel or attenuation of the filaments.

Rotary or rotatable traverse means have been employed for distributing filamentary material lengthwise of a rotating collector or packaging sleeve but difiiculties have been encountered in effectively transferring the strand of filamentary material from a completed package onto a fresh collector without liability of breakage of the filamentary material and excessive wear of the entrant areas of the traverse means.

The occurrence of break-outs of the filaments necessitates interruption of the formation or attenuation of the filaments and usually results in considerable waste of filamentary material at each start-up and appreciable loss of time in order to reestablish proper operating conditions especially in the formation of continuous fila seats of glass attenuated by operation of automatic filament attenuating and winding apparatus.

The present invention embraces an apparatus for traversing a strand or" continuous filaments of heat-softenable material such as glass to distribute the strand on a collector and for effectively reestablishing traverse of the strand on a fresh collector after a completed strand package has been formed.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a rotatable traverse means for traversing or distributing a linear strand or bundle of filaments on a collector, the rotation of which effects a continuous crossing pattern of convolutions of the filaments on the collector by harmonic motion, the traverse means being adapted for reciprocation to oscillate and distribute the bundle of filaments on a collector of substantial length and w ich is fashioned to facilitate entry of a linear bundle of filaments into a traverse groove assuring the entry of the bundle of filaments with a minimum liability of breakage.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a rotatable and reciprocable traverse or strand control means for traversing or distributing strand lengthwise of a collector while the collector is being rotated, the traverse means being fashioned with a strand biasing region facilitating the re-entry of the strand into a trav rse slot or groove with a minimum of wear on the traverse means.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a rotatable traverse for filamentary materials having a tapered region for biasing a strand or linear bundle of filaments into a traverse slot through a re-entrant zone with a minimum of engagement of the strand with the traverse means thereby minimizing the Wear of the traverse and the strand or bundle of filaments.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts, elements per se, and to economics of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view illustrating an arrangement for forming and collecting continuous filaments of heat-softenable material embodying a novel traverse means of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of the winding apparatus and the traverse means shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of the Winding apparatus and traverse means;

FIGURE 4 is an elevational end view of the traverse means of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the traverse means, and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic expanded view of the traverse groove in the traverse means illustrated in FIGURES 4 through 6.

While the method and apparatus of the invention are particularly usable in collecting, traversing and packaging newly formed filaments of glass or other heat-softenable material, it is to be understood that the method and apparatus of the invention may be utilized in collecting, traversing or packaging linear materials such as monofilamerits, yarns, threads or the like.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG- RE 1 there is illustrated a feeder ltl adapted to contain heat-softened filament-forming material such as molten glass which is supplied from a melting furnace (not shown) provided with a forehearth 12 arranged to convey the molten material to the feeder lit. The floor of the feeder ill is pro ded with a comparatively large number of depending tips or projections 1 each tip or projection being formed with an orifice or outlet through which the molten glass or other filamenbfcrming material is discharged as fine streams if.

The feeder it; is formed of platinum rhodium or other material capable of withstanding the intense heat of the molten glass. The feeder may be connected with a source of electrical energy of high amperage controlled to maintain the glass at a proper viscosity so that the streams of glass flowing through the orificed projections will be substantially uniform. The streams are continuously attenuated or drawn into fine filaments l8 and the filaments gathered into a strand Zll by a filament gathering means or shoe 22.

It is found desirable to deliver moisture onto the newly formed filaments and a nozzle 24 may be provided for projecting a line spray of water for the purpose. A lubricant or other fiber coating material may be applied to the strand at the filament gathering shoe by a tube 25 connected with a lubricant supply (not shown).

The glass streams are attenuated to fine filaments by winding the strand 2d of the filaments upon a packaging tube or sleeve preferably driven by automatic means and upon completion of the package, an indexing arrangement is adapted to index or move a fresh tube or sleeve into inding position at a winding station. During collection and distribution of the strand on the package, the method of traversing the strand and the means therefor are effective to distribute the strand on the packaging tube or sleeve.

The winding machine or apparatus for clfecting attenuation of the filaments and collection of the strand of filaments into packages is shown in FIGURES 1 through 3 and includes a housing 39 which encloses mechanism for supporting, rotating and indexing the pack ing tubes or sleeves and mechanism for rotating and re procating the strand traversing means of the invention and for reciprocating a strand diverting means or bar which is brougnt into operation for effecting transfer of the strand from a completed package to a fresh tube or sleeve with out interrupting filament attenuation.

lournally supported upon suitable bearings (not shown) mounted within the housing St} is a circular member or head 32 which is rotatable and is adapted to be indexed to three positions in the performance of winding operations. Iournally supported upon the indexible head or member 32 are three collets or mandrels 34, 35 and 3d spaced circumferentially equal distances apart with their axes at equal radial distances from the axis of rotation of the indexible head 32;. The head 32. is arranged to be moved, by suitable mechanism (not shown) contained within the housing 3t, to indexed positions to successively position the mandrels in three positions.

As shown in FIGURE 1, the mandrel 3 is at a strand winding or packaging position, the mandrel 35 is at a position in which a package of strand is dotted after completion of its formation and an empty sleeve applied and, mandrel 35 is in a standby position preparatory to indexing an empty collector or sleeve into winding position, the head 32 being rotatable or indexible in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1.

Each of the mandrels shown in FIGURE 1 is provided with a packaging sleeve, tube or collector, the sleeves being designated respectively 3%, 39 and 4t) and are adapted to slidably fit on the driving mandrels or arbors.

Each of the colle'ts 34, 35s and 36 is driven by an individual electrically energizable motor (not shown) or other suitable means individual to each collet. As shown in FIGURE 1, the strand 29 is collected or wound upon the sleeve 38 carried by the mandrel 34 at the winding station, the mandrel being rotated at suiiiciently high speed to attenuate the streams of glass to fine continuous filaments.

The invention is inclusive of a method and means for distributing or traversing the strand 29 of filaments on a collector or sleeve, the traverse means being rotatable and reciprocable for winding the strand so that successive convolutions are in crossing relation and for distributing the strand lengthwise of the collector or sleeve in successive layers of crossing strand in the formation of a strand package. It is essential in forming a strand package of glass filaments to traverse the strand so that adjacent convolutions of strand are in crossing relation and to distribute the strand lengthwise on the collector while perpetuating the cross strand pattern during the winding or collection of the strand to avoid adhesion of adjacent convolutions of strand.

In the embodiment illustrated, the traverse means 50 for carrying out the method of traverse of the invention comprises a rotatable roll or member, a preferred form of which is illustrated in FIGURES 4 through 6.

The traverse roll or member 543 is circular and includes a circular cylindrical portion or section 52 in which is fashioned a peripheral angular slot or groove 54 having parallel side walls 56, the bottom of the recess 54 being defined by a fillet or curved region 58 defining a solid hub structure forming an integral portion of the cylindrical region 52 which, in eifect, is partially bisected by the angular slot or recess 54.

The angular slot or recess 54 is of the harmonic motion shape and functions to guide or oscillate the strand during each revolution of the traverse 50 over a restricted area of the strand collecting sleeve or tube to establish the crossing strand pattern of disposition of the strand upon the collector. Projecting axially from each side of the cylindrical portion or section 52 is a projection 66, the peripheral surface 62 of each projection being frusto-conically shaped as illustrated in FIGURES and 6, the taper of the projections being in convergent relation.

The frusto-conical region is for the purpose of biasing the strand or linear material toward the slot or recess 54 for entrance into the slot during strand transfer operations from a completed package to an empty or fresh sleeve or collector. The cylindrical section 52 is formed with planar side walls arranged in parallel planes normal to the axis of rotation of the traverse means.

The center region of thetraverse means 5% is provided with an axial bore 66 for mounting the traverse means upon a rotatable shaft or support 68, shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, the shalt 6?; being reciprocable by suitable mechanism (not shown) for reciprocating the traverse means lengthwise of the strand collecting tube or sleeve upon which the linear material or strand 2% is wound. As shown in FIGURE 5, metal bushings 7 3- are snugly fitted or pressed into counterbores adjacent the ends of the bore 65 which cooperate with means (not shown) on the shaft 63 for centering the traverse means 5t) about the axis of rotation and reciprocation of the shaft 63.

width of the cylindrical section 52 of the traverse cans and the angularity of the slot 54 determine the extent of traverse of the strand at each revolution of the traverse member or roll With particular reference to FIGURES 4, 5 and 6, it should be noted that the angularity or" the recess or groove 54 is such that an outer Wall of the recess adjacent a projection intersects the frusto-conical surface 62 at the region indicated at 72 in FIGURE 6 providing an area at the region 72 whereby, during rotation of the traverse means, the strand engaging a frusto-conically shaped projection as is biased into the recess 54 Without liability of the strand engaging the sharp edges 74 established by the junction of a wall as of the recess 54 and an adjacent planar side wall 64 of the cylindrical section 52.

his re-entrant region 72 functions during transfer of the strand to effect re-entry of the strand into the traversing slot or recess 54 without interrupting or modifying the linear speed of the strand or linear material and without liability of its being broken by contact with the sharp edge regions 74.

It should be noted that the projections 60 are of identical size and shape and that there is an entry region into the recess from each frusto-conically shaped surface 62 at diametrically opposed positions as exemplified in FIG- URE 7 whereby the traverse roll or member 50 is substantially dynamically balanced at any speed of rotation. This is essential as the strand or linear material is advanced by the winding of the strand upon the collecting sleeve at speeds upwardly of fifteen thousand or more feet per minute.

The traverse means or roll 50 is preferably fashioned of layers of fabric or textile bonded into a solid integrated mass by a suitable resin. The layers of fabric may be made of organic textile fibers or of inorganic fibers and the bonding resin may be phenolformaldehyde, or other heat-settable or curable resin, the structure being formed by subjecting the textile laminations impregnated with the heat-settable resin under high pressure and at a temperature sufficient to set the resin to form a solid iass. A material of this character known commercially as Micarta has been found to be satisfactory for the purpose.

FIGURE 7 exemplifies the slot or recess 54 in the cylindrical section 52 projected in a single plane. It will be noted from this figure that the centers of the reentrant regions 72 of the recess 54 are spaced one hundred ighty degrees apart and that the angularity of the median region of the recess is sufiicient to form the re-entrant regions 72. If a recess or traverse slot of lesser angularity is to be employed, the cylindrical section 52 would be of proportionately lesser thickness in order to provide for the re-entrant region '72 fashioned at the intersection of a wall 56 of the recess with the adjacent frusto-conically shaped surface 62.

If the angularity of recess 54 is increased then the thickness of the cylindrical section 52 is increased to provide the re-entrant region '72. It will be noted from FIGURES 5 and 7 that the recess 54 is of harmonic configuration or contour and that identical shapes in the various region of the traverse member 50 are arranged one hundred eighty degrees apart so that there is substantially dynamic balance of the traverse means.

In forming filaments of glass it has been found advantageous to establish a moist environment provided by a fine spray of water from the nozzle 24 as the moisture on the filaments tends to reduce the friction between the strand and the surfaces of the strand-guiding recess 54 tending to minimize break-outs.

The winding apparatus with which the traverse means 50 is utilized is provided with means for diverting the advancing strand 2% out of the recess 54 at the completion of a package and moving the strand to a transfer station adjacent an end region of the sleeve bearing the completed package so as to effect a transfer of the strand to a like region on the succeeding collector or sleeve. in the embodiment illustrated, the strand diverting or transfer means is inclusive of a rod or shaft 73 which is adapted to be reciprocated at the time each strand package is completed.

The shaft or rod '78 extends into a cylinder 80 within the housing 3% and is provided with a piston or head 82 reciprocable in the cylinder. A timing or control means (not shown) is provided for admitting oil or other fluid into the cylinder Elil to etlect reciprocation of the shaft or rod 78 at the time that a package of strand is completed at the winding station. It is to be understood that other suitable means may be employed for reciprocating the strand transfer shaft 78.

Projecting from the shaft 78 is a hook-like member or strand engaging projection 86 which, when the shaft '78 is projected in a left-hand direction, as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 3, engages the strand Ztl. The projection 86 is formed with an angular portion 33, shown in FIGURE 3, which biases the strand out of the recess 54 of the traverse means in order to effect transfer of the strand to a fresh collector.

Tlhe several steps of the rnethod involved in completing the formation of a strand package and initiating the transfer of the strand from a completed package to an empty collector is as follows: The winding of the strand 26 of filaments 18 upon the collector or tube 3 8 at the winding station through the high speed rotation of the collet 34 attenuates the streams 16 of glass to fine filaments. The collet 34 is rotated at a speed to advance and attenuate the filaments at fifteen thousand or more feet per minute, the collet being rotated by a motor (not shown) individual to the collet.

During rotation of the tube 38 upon which the strand is being wound, the strand is being guided or oscillated through the medium of the angular recess 54 of the traverse means 50. The traverse means 50* and its supporting shalit 6 8 are rotated at high speed by a suitable means (not shown) and, simultaneously, the shaft 6% and the traverse 5% are reciprocated at a comparatively low speed lengthwise of the collecting tube 38 to distribute the strand 2% over substantially the entire area of the tube or collector 38.

The rotation of the traverse means 5%? effects a depos tion of the strand upon the collector with the convolutions in crossing relation, the strand being guided by the recess 54 to form a crossing pattern of strand convolutions under the influence of the angularity of recess 54. This traversing action is designated micro traverse which is a high frequency, low amplitude motion.

During the short length traversing of the strand by the means 59 to form the comparatively short crossing convolution pattern of strand, the traverse means, while rotating, is reeiprocated at a comparatively slow rate lengthwise or axially of the collector, progressively moving the short crossing pattern lengthwise to distribute the strand over substimtially the entire area of the collector. The slow reciprocating motion or axial movement of the traverse means 559 is referred to as a macro traverse. The macro traverse movement or reciprocation of the traverse means is at a much lower frequency and thigh amplitude as compared with the high frequency short pattern distribution of the strand established by rotation of the traverse means 5'15.

During the winding of the strand to form a strand package on the tube or sleeve 38, the motor (not shown) driving the mandrel '34 is progressively reduced in speed as the strand builds up in the package to an increasing diameter so that the filaments are attenuated at a sub stantially constant linear speed and thereby secure filaments of substantially uniform diameters.

When the strand package on the collector 3-8 is nearmg completion, automatically controlled means (not shown) actuates valve means to deliver pressure fluid into the cylinder 81} to advance the strand transfer means comprising shaft 7 8 and the projection 86 in a left-hand direction as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 3 to engage the strand in the bight region formed by the shaft 78 and the angular portion 82 of the projection to divert the strand transversely of the traverse means out of the recess 54.

The lengthwise movement of the shaft 78 diverts the strand to a position adjacent an end region or area 90 on the collector sleeve 38, the projection 86 directing the strand for winding on the region 94} during transfer of the strand to a fresh collector.

At this point in the operation, the head 32 is. indexed by automatic means (not shown) by rotating the head 32 in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGURE 1 through one-third of a revolution. As the package on the collector 3t nears completion, the motor connected with the mandrel 36 is automatically energized by means (not shown) to bring the empty standby collector 40 approximately to a speed whereby the periphery of the collector approximates the linear speed of the strand 2th of filaments. As the head 32 is indexed to move the completed package on the collector 38 to llhe position occupied by the collector 39 in FIGURE 1, the empty or fresh collector do is moved into the winding station.

As the completed package moves away from winding position, the motor driving the mandrel 34- is deenergized and braking means applied to rapidly reduce the speed of the mandrel 34 and the collector 33. As the fresh collector do is being rotated at its time of indexing into winding position, the strand 20 licks or adheres to the surface at the end region of the collector it} and, by reason of the reduced speed of the completed package on the sleeve 3%, a loop or strand is formed between the completed package and the sleeve 40 which results in the strand being snubbed onto the collector it) etfecting a breaking of the strand between the package and the collector 40.

When the mandrel 34 carrying the strand package on the collector 3 comes to rest in the position occupied by the mandrel 35 in FEGURE 1, the operator slid ably removes or dolls the completed pack-age from its supporting mandrel 34. After winding is initiated on the end region of the sleeve or collector 40, the strand being guided to this region by the projection 86, retractive movement of the shaft 78 is initiated by flow of fluid under pressure into the cylinder 8% at the left side of the piston 82 to move the shaft or strand transfer means in a right-hand direction as viewed in FIGURES 2 and 3.

By reason of the angularity of the strand between the gathering slice 2-2 and the winding region at the end of the collector, the strand 2d engages the frusto-conieal shape as on the projection and, under the influence of the angularity of the frusto-conical shape, the strand 2i) is led or biased toward the recess 54. When the strand approaches the side wall 64 of the cylindrical section as, the re-entrant region 72 is in the path of the strand and the strand re-enters the recess at the region '72 without engaging a sharp edge region 74.

When the strand 2% re-enters the recess 54, the rapidly rotating traverse -56 initiates oscillation of the strand "at? under the influence of the angularity of recess 54 to deposit the strand in overlapping helixes or convolutions on the fresh collector 49. Under the influence of reciprocatory movement of the traverse means 50, the strand is distributed over substantially the entire area or the collector 4b in building a strand package.

When the strand package being formed on collector 4t approaches a predetermined size, a repetition of the foregoing operations ensues to transfer a completed package away from the winding station and to move an empty collector into Winding position.

The traverse means 5t), being formed of laminations or layers of fibrous or textile material provides a high strength structure capable of withstanding high speed rotation. The traverse surfaces engaged by the strand do not become polished by engagement with the moving strand of glass filaments. It is believed that the engagement oi the strand with the material of the traverse erodes or abrades the resin at a faster rate than the textile or fibrous material and that minute recesses are provided by the erosion of the resin which hold moisture and thereby prevent or reduce the polishing of the surfaces engaged by the strand.

The rotation of the traverse means at high speed promotes the winding of the strand on the collector in high angle overlap ing helixes so that successive convolutions the stnand are not in parallel relation but are in crossing relation to prev nt adherence or bonding of the convolutions of the strands together. This is essential in order that the strand may be freely withdrawn from the strand package in subsequent processing operations with a minimum liability of breakage during rewinding operations from the package. 1

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than as herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

1 claim:

1. A traverse for guiding linear material comprising a member adapted to be rotated and reciprocated to distribute the linear material on a collector, said member being formed with a guide region for the linear material arranged at an angle relative to the axis of the member, and a frusto-conically shaped portion on said member with its angle of convergence being toward the angular guide region adapted to be engaged by the linear material to bias the linear material for entry into the angular guide region during rotation of the member.

2. A traverse for use in distributing linear material on a collector on which the material is wound comprising a circular member adapted to be rotated and reciprocated, said member being formed with a peripheral recess, the walls defining the recess lying in parallel planes angulariy arranged with respect to the axis of rotation of the memher, and a frusto-conically shaped portion on said memher with its angle of convergence being toward the peripheral recess in the member adapted to be engaged by the linear material to bias the advancing linear material into the peripheral recess to initiate traverse of the material.

3. A traverse means for distributing strand material on a rotating collector comprising a rotatable member formed with a generally cylindrically shaped portion, said cylindrically shaped portion being formed with a circumferential recess defined by parallel walls angularly arranged with respect to the axis of the cylindrically shaped portion, a projection integrally formed with the cylindrically shaped portion, said projection having a irustoconically shaped peripheral region, the minimum diameter of the frusto-conically shaped region being at its juncture with the cylindrically shaped portion, and a wall of the recess intersecting the frusto-conically shaped portion providing a re-entrant region for the strand material to be biased into the recess.

4. A traverse means for distributing strand material on a rotating collector comprising a rotatable member formed with a generally cylindrically shaped portion having parallel side walls, said cylindrically shaped portion being formed with a circumferential recess defined by parallel walls angularly arranged with respect to the axis of the cylindrically shaped portion, the bottom of the recess being of curved cross section, a projection integrally formed with the cylindrically shaped portion and extending from each side thereof, each projection being formed with a frusto-conically shaped peripheral region, the minimum diameter of each frusto-conically shaped region being at its juncture with a side wall of the cylindrical portion, the walls defining the recess intersecting respectively a frusto-conically shaped portion providing a re-entrant region for biasing the strand into the recess in the cylindrical portion.

5. A traverse means for distributing strand material on a rotating collector comprising a member formed of resin and fibrous material, said member having a generally cylindrical portion with parallel side walls, said cylindrical portion being formed with a peripheral recess defined by parallel walls angularly arranged with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion, a projection integrally formed with the cylindrical portion and extending axially from each side of the cylindrical portion, each projection being formed with a frusto-conically shaped peripheral surface, the minimum diameter of each projection being at its juncture with a side wall of the cylindrical portion, the walls defining the recess intersecting respectively the frusto-conically shaped portions providing re-entrant regions for biasing the strand into the recess.

6. A traverse means for traversing advancing linear material lengthwise of a rotatable collector comprising a member formed of layers of fibrous material and phenolic resin bonding material, said member having a circular cylindrical portion and a saoulder portion extending from each side of the circular cylindrical portion, each shoulder being formed with a peripheral frusto-conically shaped surface, said frusto-conically shaped surfaces being arranged in converging relation and converging toward the circular cylindrical portion, a peripheral slot formed in said cylindrical portion, the medial plane of the slot being angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion, the walls defining the slot intersecting respectively the frusto-conically shaped surfaces at diametrically opposed regions of the member, the zones of intersection of the Walls defining the slot with the shoulder portions providing re-entrant regions for biasing linear material into the peripheral slot.

7. A traverse means for traversing advancing strand lengthwise of a rotatable collector comprising a member having a circular cylindrical portion and a shoulder portion extending from each side of the circular cylindrical portion, said shoulders being formed with peripheral frusto-conically shaped surfaces arranged in converging relation and converging toward the circular cylindrical portion, a peripheral slot formed in said cylindrical portion, the medial plane of the slot being angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion, the walls defining the slot intersecting respectively the frusto-conically shaped surfaces at diametrically opposed regions of the member, the Zones of intersection of the walls defining the slot with the shoulder portions providing re-entrant regions for biasing advancing strand into the peripheral slot.

8. A traverse means for traversing advancing strand lengthwise of a rotatable collector comprising a member having a circular cylindrical portion and a shoulder portion extending from a side of the cylindrical portion, said shoulder portion being formed with a peripheral frustoconically shaped surface arranged with its minimum diameter at the region of its juncture with a side of the cylindrical portion, a peripheral slot formed in said cylindrical portion, the medial plane of the slot being angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion, said frusto-conically shaped surface being arranged to bias advancing strand toward the cylindrical portion, a wall of the slot intersecting the frusto-conically shaped surface of the member, the zone of intersection of the wall of the slot with the shoulder portion providing a re-entrant region of biasing advancing strand from the frusto-conically shaped surface into the peripheral slot.

9. A traverse means for traversing advancing strand of glass fibers lengthwise of a rotatable collector comprising a member formed of layers of fibrous material and phenolic resin bonding material, said member having a circular cylindrical portion and a shoulder portion extending from each side of the circular cylindrical portion, said shoulder portion being formed with peripheral frusto-conically shaped surfaces arranged in converging relation and converging toward the circular cylindrical 15 portion, a peripheral slot formed in said cylindrical portion, the medial plane of the slot being angularly dis- 1% posed with respect to the axis of the cylindrical portion, the Walls defining the slot intersecting respectively the frusto-conically shaped surfaces at diametrically opposed regions of the member, the Zones of intersection of the walls defining the slot with the shoulder portions providing re-entrant regions for biasing advancing strand of glass fibers into the peripheral slot, said member formed with a circular recess adjacent each projection and at its axial region with a bore to accommodate a rotatable and 10 reciprocable support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,622,810 Stream et a1. Dec. 23, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 893,421 France Jan. 31, 1944 

1. A TRAVERSE FOR GUIDING LINEAR MATERIAL COMPRISING A MEMBER ADAPTED TO BE ROTATED AND RECIPROCATED TO DISTRIBUTE THE LINEAR MATERIAL ON A COLLECTOR, SAID MEMBER BEING FORMED WITH A GUIDE REGION FOR THE LINEAR MATERIAL ARRANGED AT AN ANGLE RELATIVE TO THE AXIS OF THE MEMBER, AND A FRUSTO-CONICALLY SHAPED PORTION ON SAID MEMBER WITH ITS ANGLE OF CONVERGENCE BEING TOWARD THE ANGULAR GUIDE REGION ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED BY THE LINEAR MATERIAL TO BIAS THE LINEAR MATERIAL FOR ENTRY INTO THE ANGULAR GUIDE REGION DURING ROTATION OF THE MEMBER. 